NSW Ambulance has highlighted one of the many support services available to its paramedics as the pandemic compounds the already challenging work environment of first responders.
The Agency said support for first responders and their families had never been as crucial as it was now.
“From uncertainty to isolation, COVID-19 – along with the unrelated incidents our first responders are confronted with on a regular basis – can at times have a detrimental effect on mental health,” NSW Ambulance said.
“Thankfully, NSW Ambulance has a number of external services, as well as internal services such as its own Family Support Network, at its disposal, who are there to offer support,” it said.
NSW Ambulance said one of those services was Fortem Australia, a not-for-profit service that offered mental health and wellbeing support for first responders and their families.
The Agency said that for the Co-founder of Fortem Australia, John Bale, it was critical that families were supported in order to benefit both the families and the first responders they cared for.
“As the general community feels the stress of what is going on (with COVID-19), NSW Ambulance is right at the tip of that pressure because they get to live with all of the pressure that everybody is going through so far as COVID-19 and, on top of that, have to respond to all of the health-related issues that are occurring,” Mr Bale said.
“Our focus on families is going to build a more resilient workforce because they are the ones who see the cracks appear at the very early stages, but also family members are the ones that then can create that safer space to be able to talk about these things that are creating issues,” he said.
“Also, families can put in place the routines and support that can make sure first responders focus on mental fitness, social connection, exercise, nutrition, sleep etc.”
Mr Bale said Fortem organised free wellbeing activities for NSW Ambulance first responders, including surfing; organised walks; coffee catch-ups; putt putt golf; and yoga.
Further information on NSW Ambulance’s support services for first responders can be accessed at this PS News link.
